Samsung wins Galaxy Tab infringement case in UK because it’s not “as cool” as the iPad

Samsung is having a slightly better time in the UK with regards to the company’s legal battles against Apple. A UK judge ruled today that the Galaxy Tab is unlikely to be confused with Apple’s iPad, partly on the grounds that it is not “as cool” as the iPad. In addition it was found there there were more than 50 design differences that contributed to Samsung’s victory.

Judge Colin Birss reportedly said that “[The Galaxy tablets] do not have the same understated and extreme simplicity which is possessed by the Apple design. They are not as cool.” Fairly harsh words but Samsung will take any victory they can get. The company said in a statement: “Should Apple continue to make excessive legal claims in other countries based on such generic designs, innovation in the industry could be harmed and consumer choice unduly limited.”

The Galaxy Tab 10.1, 8.9 and 7.7 models all fall under today’s ruling, which said that the thickness of Samsung’s devices, lack of buttons and surface features were grounds enough to rule that the Galaxy Tab and iPad were dissimilar. Apple has 21 days to appeal the ruling.

Previously the editor of PCFormat and T3, Nic is a wordsmith by day and a web developer by night. Or is that the other way round? He has been the managing editor of Stuff's print version for several years and is now the digital publisher, leading the web, mobile and app evolution of your favourite mag.